Toward the calibration of serological assays using sera collected from cattle and sheep following a single dose of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine

Research (Published online: 28-02-2022)

37. Toward the calibration of serological assays using sera collected from cattle and sheep following a single dose of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine

Aiken S. Karabassova, Akhmetzhan A. Sultanov, Meruyert A. Saduakassova, Donald P. King, Anna B. Ludi, Clare F. J. Browning and Ginette Wilsden

Veterinary World, 15(2): 524-530

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Serological assays are widely used to monitor the performance of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines to estimate vaccination coverage and to ensure that vaccinated animals generate adequate immune responses. This study aimed to measure the FMD virus (FMDV)-specific responses in cattle and sheep after a single dose of a trivalent FMD vaccine containing serotypes A, O, and Asia-1, and to use these sera to calibrate virus neutralization tests (VNTs) and serotype-specific serological enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) that can measure post-vaccination responses.

Materials and Methods: Sera were collected from cattle (n=10) and sheep (n=10) on 0, 21, and 56 days after immunization with an imported aqueous formulated FMD vaccine. These samples were tested by VNT using field FMDV isolates that are representative of the epidemiological risks in Central Asia (A/ASIA/Iran-05, A/ASIA/GVII, O/ME-SA/Ind-2001, O/SEA/ Mya-98, O/ME-SA/PanAsia, and Asia-1 Shamir). Heterologous VNT antibody responses were compared to those measured using commercial FMDV-specific ELISAs for serotypes O, A, and Asia 1.

Results: Administration of the FMD vaccine increased FMDV-specific antibody titers for both species in sera collected on day 21, but these elevated titers were short-lived and were decreased by day 56.

Conclusion: These results highlight the short duration of immunity with a single dose of this aqueous vaccine and motivate further studies to assess immune responses in cattle and small ruminants after a two-dose course vaccination schedule. Further comparative data for VNT and serotype-specific ELISAs are needed to define cutoffs that can be used to monitor post-vaccination immune responses in low-containment laboratories where it is not possible to handle live FMDVs.

Keywords: cattle, enzyme-linked immunoassay, foot-and-mouth disease, immunogenicity, post-vaccination monitoring, sheep, virus neutralization test.

Assessing the recovery of steroid levels and gonadal histopathology of tilapia exposed to polystyrene particle pollution by supplementary feed

Research (Published online: 28-02-2022)

36. Assessing the recovery of steroid levels and gonadal histopathology of tilapia exposed to polystyrene particle pollution by supplementary feed

Alfiah Hayati, Manikya Pramudya, Hari Soepriandono, Aisyah Rizkyning Astri, Michael Ronaldi Kusuma, Sasanaqia Maulidah, Wahyu Adriansyah and Firli Rahmah Primula Dewi

Veterinary World, 15(2): 517-523

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Water pollution caused by industrial waste and human activities has disrupted the reproductive health of aquatic organisms. This study aimed to analyze the effects of water pollution caused by polystyrene particles (PP) on the steroid (estradiol and testosterone) levels and histopathology of male tilapia gonads. In addition, we also analyzed the potential of supplementary feeding to remove and neutralize oxidants.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-six tilapia fishes were taken for the study and were divided into 12 groups (n=3), including a control group (fed with commercial pellets only) and groups fed with a mixture of commercial-probiotic pellets (200 mL/kg, 1×108 colony-forming unit [CFU]/mL) and commercial vitamin C pellets (100 mg/kg), respectively. The PP concentrations used for this study were 0, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/L, and the treatment time was 2 weeks. The testosterone and estradiol concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and histopathological analysis of the gonads.

Results: Laboratory analysis performed using tilapia fishes showed that exposure to a PP concentration of <74 μm, mixed with feed for 14 days, could decrease estradiol and testosterone levels. Exposure to plastic particles could change the structure, shape, and size of male gonads. It can also affect the spermatogenic cell number and alter the diameter inside the cysts. Originally, plastic particles were believed to reduce the permeability of the cyst membrane, and this damages the membrane or ruptures the cyst. Supplementary feed containing probiotics (200 mL/kg, 1×108 CFU/mL) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg) can ameliorate the impact of PP exposure on steroid levels. The steroid levels increase with a concurrent improvement in cysts and seminiferous tubule structures.

Conclusion: Overall, this study indicates that PP concentrations in the aquatic environment negatively affect tilapia reproduction, and this may pose a potential threat to the fish population in freshwater. Provision of supplementary feed containing probiotics and vitamin C may serve as an alternative way to counter the negative impact caused by plastic particles.

Keywords: fish, fisheries, freshwater, polystyrene, probiotics, testicular.

An investigation of heavy metals in edible bird's nest from Indonesia using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Research (Published online: 27-02-2022)

35. An investigation of heavy metals in edible bird's nest from Indonesia using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Dede Sri Wahyuni, Hadri Latif, Mirnawati B. Sudarwanto, Chaerul Basri and Daniel Thong

Veterinary World, 15(2): 509-516

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In 2020, Indonesia, which has the highest global production of edible bird's nest (EBNs), exported up to 1312.5 tons of this product at a value of USD 540.4 million. Recently, food safety aspects related to EBNs, including contamination with heavy metals, have become a serious concern. However, data on the presence and concentration of heavy metals in EBNs in Indonesia are not yet available. This study aimed to determine and compare the presence and concentrations of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and tin (Sn) in EBNs originating from several primary Indonesian islands. The study also analyzed the effect of washing on the heavy metal content in EBNs.

Materials and Methods: A study on 44 swiftlet farmhouses (SFHs) was conducted to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in EBNs. The number of samples from the SFHs was allocated proportionally to the main EBN-producing islands in Indonesia, that is, Kalimantan, Sumatera, Sulawesi, and Java (22, 13, 7, and 2, respectively). The concentrations of the above five elements in the samples before washing (raw–unclean EBNs) and after washing (raw–clean EBNs) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Washing was conducted according to the general procedures at an EBN processing plant.

Results: The raw–unclean EBNs from the four islands contained As, Pb, Cd, and Sn at varying concentrations. However, Hg was not detected in the raw–unclean EBN samples from Sulawesi. The raw–unclean EBNs from Kalimantan had lower concentrations of Pb and Cd compared with the other islands. The concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, and Sn in the EBNs decreased significantly after washing with clean water.

Conclusion: Heavy metals (As, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Sn) were detected at a low level in most of the raw–unclean EBNs originating from the main Indonesian island where they were produced. The concentrations of all the heavy metals reviewed in the raw–unclean EBNs samples decreased significantly after washing.

Keywords: edible bird nests, heavy metal, swiftlet farmhouse, washing.

Prevalence of cardiac myosin-binding protein C3 mutations in Maine Coon cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Research (Published online: 27-02-2022)

34. Prevalence of cardiac myosin-binding protein C3 mutations in Maine Coon cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Pratch Sukumolanan and Soontaree Petchdee

Veterinary World, 15(2): 502-508

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common heart problem that affects many cats. Although cats with HCM are symptomatic, some die suddenly or develop congestive heart failure. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of myosin-binding protein C3 (MYBPC3), A31P, and A74T polymorphisms in Maine Coon cats to assess risk factors for diagnosing HCM in cats.

Materials and Methods: Forty-nine Maine Coon cats of at least 10 months of age were enrolled in this study. First, clinical parameters, such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and echocardiography, were evaluated. Then, polymerase chain reaction, followed by DNA sequencing, was conducted using specific primers for amino acid substitutions caused by genetic variants of MYBPC3-A31P and -A74T polymorphisms.

Results: Investigations showed that the prevalence of MYBPC3-A31P and -A74T mutations in this study was 16.33% and 24.45%, respectively. Moreover, HCM in cats with MYBPC3-A31P and A74T mutations increased with age, body weight, high heart rate, and prolonged isovolumic relaxation time.

Conclusion: Therefore, we propose that Maine Coon cats develop HCM due to multiple genetic factors and underlying clinical characteristics in individual cats. Furthermore, relaxation time assessments can be a sensitive technique for HCM screening during its preclinical phase and can help identify the risk of developing HCM. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate the effect of MYBPC3 mutations on the phenotypic expression of HCM.

Keywords: feline, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, mutation, myosin-binding protein.

Triple gene editing in porcine embryos using electroporation alone or in combination with microinjection

Research (Published online: 27-02-2022)

33. Triple gene editing in porcine embryos using electroporation alone or in combination with microinjection

Zhao Namula, Quynh Anh Le, Manita Wittayarat, Qingyi Lin, Koki Takebayashi, Maki Hirata, Lanh Thi Kim Do, Fuminori Tanihara and Takeshige Otoi

Veterinary World, 15(2): 496-501

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: We previously developed the gene-editing by electroporation (EP) of Cas9 protein method, in which the CRISPR/Cas9 system was introduced into porcine in vitro fertilized (IVF) zygotes through EP to disrupt a target gene. This method should be further developed, and a combination of EP and MI methods should be evaluated in pigs. This study aimed to determine that a combination of microinjection (MI) and EP of CRISPR/Cas9 system could increase the rates of biallelic mutation for triple-gene knockout in porcine blastocysts. We targeted the pancreatic and duodenal homeobox1 (PDX1) gene using cytoplasmic MI 1 h before or after EP, which was used to edit alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) and cytidine 32 monophosphate-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) genes in porcine zygotes.

Materials and Methods: We introduced guide RNAs targeting PDX1, GGTA1, and CMAH with the Cas9 protein into IVF zygotes (one-cell stage) through EP 10 h after the start of IVF (IVF; EP group) or in combination with MI (1 h before, MI-EP group, or after EP treatment EP-MI group) and evaluated the blastocyst formation rate and efficiency of target mutations in the resulting blastocysts.

Results: Our results revealed a significant reduction in the rate of blastocyst formation in the two groups that underwent MI before and after EP (MI-EP and EP-MI group), compared with that in the groups treated with EP alone (EP group) (p=0.0224 and p<0.0001, respectively) and control (p=0.0029 and p<0.0001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the total mutation rates among the treatment groups in the resulting blastocysts. As an only positive effect of additional MI treatment, the rate of blastocysts carrying biallelic mutations in at least one target gene was higher in the MI-EP group than in the EP group. However, there was no difference in the rates of embryos carrying biallelic mutations in more than 2 target genes.

Conclusion: These results indicate that although a combination of MI and EP does not improve the mutation efficiency or biallelic mutation for triple-gene knockout, MI treatment before EP is better to reduce mortality in porcine zygotic gene editing through a combination of MI and EP.

Keywords: clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9, electroporation, gene editing, microinjection, porcine zygotes.

Development of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in some Egyptian veterinary farms

Research (Published online: 27-02-2022)

32. Development of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in some Egyptian veterinary farms

A. A. Samy, Asmaa S. Mansour, Doaa D. Khalaf and Eman A. Khairy

Veterinary World, 15(2): 488-495

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Food of animal origin is considered a major source of foodborne diseases. In this context, multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli pose a serious hazard to public health due to the consumption of food contaminated with antibiotics that are used for the treatment of various bacterial infections in farm animals. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of the excessive use of antibiotics on the development of MDR E. coli strains in Egyptian poultry, dairy, and meat farms.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1225 samples were randomly collected from poultry, dairy, and meat products intended for human consumption in different governorates. E. coli were isolated from the collected samples and subjected to biochemical identification and antibiotic sensitivity tests with antibiotics commonly used in human and veterinary medicine. Then, amoxicillin (AML)- and oxytetracycline (OT)-resistant E. coli isolates were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction test to detect the blaTEM and tetA genes, respectively.

Results: E. coli were isolated from 132 out of 350, 148 out of 350, 177 out of 350, and 35 out of 175 poultry, milk, meat, and human samples, respectively. Most of the isolates expressed multidrug resistance, and resistance genes (blaTEM and tetA) were detected in all the tested AML- and OT-resistant E. coli isolates.

Conclusion: Foods of animal origin may represent a source of MDR E. coli, which can be a major threat to public health.

Keywords: Escherichia coli, food of animal origin, misuse of antibiotics, multidrug resistance, poultry.

Canine testicular tumors: An 11-year retrospective study of 358 cases in Moscow Region, Russia

Research (Published online: 26-02-2022)

31. Canine testicular tumors: An 11-year retrospective study of 358 cases in Moscow Region, Russia

Aleksey A. Gazin, Yury A. Vatnikov, Nikolay V. Sturov, Evgeny V. Kulikov, Viktor Grishin, Elena A. Krotova, Alisa A. Razumova (Varentsova), Natalia Yu. Rodionova (Sapego), Natalia I. Troshina, Varvara M. Byakhova and Ksenia V. Lisitskaya

Veterinary World, 15(2): 483-487

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Canine testicular tumors are among the most common reproductive tract tumors in male dogs and have been studied in many countries. However, to the best of our knowledge, studies with a large sample size have not been conducted in Russia. This study aimed to provide the latest information on the prevalence of canine testicular tumors in the Veterinary Oncology Scientific Center for Small Animals "Biocontrol" in Moscow, Russia, in 2010-2020 and the characteristics of the affected canine population.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients and histological reports was collected and analyzed from 358 dogs with 447 testicular tumors within 11 years.

Results: The mean age of the affected dogs was 10.4 years, whereas that of dogs with Sertoli cell tumors was 9.4 years p=0.009. This study includes mixed-breed dogs (18.4%), Yorkshire Terriers (8.8%), Labrador Retrievers (7.9%), Golden Retrievers (5.0%), and Fox Terriers (3.4%). The most common tumors were interstitial cell tumors (n=227, 50.8%). In contrast, 107 (23.9%) seminomas, 80 (17.9%) Sertoli cell tumors, 19 (7.4%) mixed germ cell-sex cord-stromal tumors, and 26 (7.6%) testicular tumors developed from cryptorchid testes, which included 16 (61.5%) Sertoli cell tumors, 10 (38.5%) seminomas, and no interstitial cell tumors.

Conclusion: This study provides baseline information on the prevalence of canine testicular tumors in the described population, including the median age of each tumor type and overrepresented dog breeds. We further found that the most common scrotal testicular tumor was interstitial cell tumor, whereas Sertoli cell tumor was the most common in cryptorchid testicles.

Keywords: cryptorchid testes, interstitial cell tumors: mixed germ cell-sex cord-stromal tumors, seminomas, Sertoli cell tumors, testicular tumors.